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Year 3 – Meriden

A Come Home to Downtown Community

21 Colony Street, Meriden

Meriden was one of two communities chosen to participate in the third year of the successful Come Home to Downtown program (Norwich was the other). This program, which is supported by the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), aims to strengthen communities by creating specific strategies to redevelop vacant or underutilized buildings into a mix of uses and housing choices.

Meriden offers significant Transit Oriented Development (TOD) opportunities, which was one of the reasons they were chosen to participate for a second year. TOD is a mixed-use development project (redevelopment or infill) designed to take advantage of nearby transit. TOD was made a priority of the Come Home to Downtown program in recognition of the state’s significant investment in new transit and the opportunities presented to communities along the transit corridors. The timing is also critical due to the New Haven/Hartford/ Springfield commuter rail opening in 2016.

Overview

During the program’s third year, the building at 21 Colony Street in Meriden received customized technical assistance from CMSC and its team of expert consultants. CMSC worked with municipal officials and the building owner to develop viable redevelopment options including identifying financing opportunities and a recommended floor plan designed to attract new residents and bring market rate housing downtown.

Documents & Others Information

Meriden Year 3 Final Report – This report offers an in-depth look at the technical assistance provided to 21 Colony Street through the Come Home to Downtown program. You’ll find extensive information on the redevelopment options provided to the small property owner, an assessment of relevant policies and regulations in Meriden, as well as key findings discerned by the CMSC team as a result of this work.

MISSION

Our mission is to be the catalyst that ignites Connecticut's Main Streets as the cornerstone of thriving communities. CMSC works at both the local and State level to create and implement successful downtowns that meet the needs of residents and visitors.